Colts should target Jahdae Barron after Texas standout shined to elevate draft stock at NFL Scouting Combine

“I’m just dialed,” Barron said. “I pay attention to my craft and I’m executing at a high pace. Everything I did in the past, it led me to this point, so I want to most definitely show that.”

When Jahdae Barron was just a freshman at Pflugerville Connally high school in North Austin, he wrote down two goals on a piece of notebook paper.

His first objective was to stay in-state and commit to Texas. His next long-term goal was to win the Jim Thorpe Award, given to the nation’s best collegiate defensive back. Barron would wake up and start his day by asking himself a motivational question written on his mirror:

Nine years later, the Austin-native exercised a once in a lifetime opportunity to raise his draft stock with an immaculate showcase in Indianapolis at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine. When Barron took his final steps off the turf Friday inside Lucas Oil Stadium, he made sure NFL scouts remember he was locked-in and prepared to compete at his pro workout.

“I’ve always believed my NFL dream was in reach,” Barron said. “I’ve always had faith in that and I always put my faith in God, so I just knew I had to do my part to put the work in over the years. I grew up to be a mature person on and off the field and it allowed me to be here today.”

Barron posted an impressive 4.39, 40-yard dash and his 1.50, 10-yard split was tied for the second-fastest start of the combine through Friday’s workouts. Barron reached a top speed of 23.3 mph, the fifth-fastest mark among DBs that participated in on-field drills.

Barron thrived in his cornerback role in five seasons at Texas, but acknowledged NFL teams have discussed his versatility to play nickel or safety. In three seasons as a starter with the Longhorns, Barron compiled 205 total tackles, 28 pass breakups and eight interceptions. His cinematic highlight reel features unreal closing speed and the physicality needed to secure tackles despite taking on blockers in the open field. Barron is a skilled robber who recognizes route concepts, then makes plays with excellent ball skills and hand-eye coordination to detach contested passes away from opposing receivers.

Texas’ Consensus All-American played more snaps in 2024 than any cornerback in the nation and never allowed a single touchdown. Barron posted a 90.7 Pro Football Focus defensive grade and a 91.1 coverage grade, which are both the best among DBs in this year’s draft class. Barron caught five interceptions against a minuscule 34.2 NFL passer rating allowed, third-lowest among all FBS cornerbacks. Opposing QBs would have been better off spiking the football rather than targeting PFF’s No. 7 overall college player from the 2024 season.

Barron thrived in zone coverage by reading the opposing quarterback’s dropback and using his instincts to anticipate where the football would be thrown. Texas often ran Cover 3 Match and Saints defensive passing game coordinator Terry Joseph taught Barron to use a reading system called “red light, yellow light, and green light.”

Red light alerted Barron a tempo throw was coming quick, because the opposing quarterback did not move after receiving the snap from shotgun. Yellow light was engaged after QBs took a four to five-yard dropback aiming to hit deeper hitch routes near the sticks. Barron recognized green light after a quarterback took a substantial six to seven-yard dropback, alerting him to anticipate a deep shot beyond 15 yards downfield, which primarily entailed posts, comebacks and dig routes.

“We matched a lot of red lights, so that’s how I had a lot of PBUs on red lights,” Barron said. “I’m most definitely confident in my ability. I’m the most efficient and the most consistent DB and can just play all four roles. I play dime corner, safety and nickel, so just having that in my bag and knowing I could be moved around in adjustment and just benefit anybody else’s team. I know that will help.”

At 5-10, 194-pounds, one NFL comparison with a similar build and versatile playing style is Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie. If Barron is available on April 24, at No. 14 overall, the Colts could address the lack of depth in their secondary with the nation’s most efficient defensive back. The most emanating issue Indianapolis faces before next season is figuring out how to upgrade its worst position group. Newly hired defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo would discover how to best utilize Barron in different alignments. Barron could immediately compete for a starting job at cornerback or safety before training camp.